How Saints’ Benjamin Watson lasted 15 years in the NFL

If one were to encounter the Watsons and their five children at the airport, one would see a family that operates like a well-oiled machine. The Watsons have made five cross-country moves over the 15 years of Ben’s pro football career, so there aren’t many things that could throw them for a loop. Ben attributes that to Kirsten, who has been the supportive glue holding the family together.

“Our kids are great when it comes to that and Kirsten is like the queen of organization. We go through the airport faster than a lot of single people. I’m serious,” Watson said. “We’re like, bam, bam, bam, take your iPad out, do this, do that, keep your shoes on, walk through, and everyone is amazed. It’s taken a lot of practice, but I want to say it’s a reflection of how we are and just the tone that she sets trying to keep things in order as much as we can with five kids.”

Organization and order have been important to the Watsons for the past two decades as they juggled Ben’s playing career while raising a family. To be able to make it 15 years in the NFL requires not only a healthy support system, but also a keen attention to detail in a league that demands perfection.nike nfl jerseys cheap china

That perfection will be put to the test Sunday when Watson and his Saints teammates host the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship Game (3:05 p.m. ET, Fox). As Watson prepares to retire at the conclusion of the Saints’ playoff run, he had to admit: It’s time to let go.

“I’m a perfectionist, I’m a planner, and also a control freak,” Watson said. “I love to know what’s going to happen and not just fly by the seat of my pants. It is a little exciting, but there’s a little bit of anxiety about what’s going to happen. … But I do know that whenever something wasn’t for sure, something has popped up, whether it’s another city to go play at, or whatever it was. I know there will be something good, I just don’t know exactly what it is yet.”

The possibilities seem endless for Watson these days. He’s already a published author and juggles media appearances and community outreach with family commitments.china nike nfl jerseys cheap

“What hasn’t he done at this point?” Saints tackle Sheldon Rankins asked. “The only thing that’s left is to run for president … and he’ll get my vote.”

Watson’s natural leadership is evident, which is why a portion of the locker room gravitated toward him in the later years of his career.

“When you look at, obviously the player he’s been in this league, for as long as he’s been in this league, and then you look at everything he does off the field as far as being a husband, a father, as a leader in the community, a leader of men, you can really go to him about anything, and I think he embraces that,” Rankins said. “I think he loves that he’s able to impact lives off the field and help grown men become better fathers, better husbands, better leaders in the community. He’s been nothing but a blessing to this team.”